sir springer's point about powders is an excellent one.
When the .30-06 was first developed, 180-grain factory hunting loads only got about 2500 fps. By the 1920's smokeless powders had improved enough so that what many still consider the .30-06/180 "maximum" of 2700 fps could be reached.
The reality is that several canister powders have allowed the .30-06 to reach 2800 fps with a 180-grain bullet for a number of years, and specialized factory powders allow it to get 2900 fps.
And 2900 fps with a 180 was what many of the early .30-caliber "magnums" strived for a century ago--and failed to reach.
So not only bullets have improved. Today the .30-06 is capable of what used to be considered .300 magnum velocities.
